ITINERARY AND VISITED SITES:

01 SOFIA Pick up from the airport, help with hotel check in. Start with full walking tour of Sofia – one of the oldest human settlements in Europe. Visit evertyhing that is worth visiting and even more with our professional and friendly tour guide. In the aftenoon we take you to the foot of Vitosha Mountain to see the amazing medieval frescos of Boyana church – World Heritage Site. Back to Sofia, free time in the evening followed by traditional folklore dinner and dance show. 

02 KARDZHALI After breakfast we head south-east to Kardzhali. This is going to be our entry to the Eastern Rhodope Mountains. On the way we stop at the village of Aleksandrovo to visit the 4th century BC Aleksandrovo Thracian Tomb which is one of the few Thracian remains with original wall paintings in Bulgaria. We also visit Museum Center Thracian Art in The Easter Rhodope and learn more about this mysteriously vanished civilization. Continue driving South to arrive to our base near  Kardzhali for dinner and overnight.

03 KARDZHALI After breakfast we drive 15 km northeast of Kardhzali to the ancient Thracian sacred place of Perpericon. Human activity here dates back to 5000 BCE. The medieval archaeological complex Perperikon is one of the most ancient monumental megalithic structures in Bulgaria. The place is entirely carved into the rocks standing on a cliff of 470 meters that offers amazing view of the surrounding valley. Many of the artifacts, discovered during archaeological explorations of Perperikon, can be seen in the History Museum of Kardzhali which we visit in the afternoon.

04 KARDZHALI Today we explore interesting part of the Eastern Rhodope around Kardzhali. We’ll pass through some obscured villages, walk along Kardzhali dam and, if lucky, try some wild berries. We cross a rope bridge to the abounded village of Lisitsite and Chit Kaya – an unexplored Thracian fortress. Not disturbed by humans there are plenty rare birds in this area. In the afternoon we follow the curves of the Kardzhali dam through authentic villages, friendly smiles of the locals and breathtaking vistas of the beautiful Rhodope. Back to our base for delicious local dinner.

05 KARDZHALI After breakfast we head deep into The Eastern Rhodope Mountain to Ardino village. Start with a visit to Devil's Bridge – an arch bridge over the Arda River in a narrow gorge, part of the ancient road connecting the lowlands of Thrace with the north Aegean Sea coast. At lunch we try some Rhodopean specialties in a very special place we choose for you. We continue our visit with Orlovi Skali – another Thracian sacred place lost into the mysteries of time. Evening arrival back to our base for dinner and overnight. 

06 PLOVDIV Departure after breakfast, drive to Bachkovo Monastery – found in 10-th century this is the second largest and one of the most important in Bulgaria. On the way we visit monastery open air market. One can find everything that grows or is being manufactured in the Rhodopi mountain – rare herbs, home-made jams of wild fruit, yogurt and white cheese made of sheep or buffalo’s milk, woolen carpets, etc. After lunch we visit Asen’s Fortress – built in the 13th century during The Second Bulgarian Kingdom, serving as a border fortification against Ladin raids. Transfer to Plovdiv for dinner and overnight. 

07 SOFIA Plovdiv – The city of Seven Hills is Bulgaria’s second largest city and one of Europe’s oldest continuously inhabited settlements. Situated on the Maritsa River, Plovdiv was once the meeting point of two important ancient transportation routes. Guided walking tour of The Old Plovdiv , visit the 2nd century Roman theatre and Plovdiv Ethnographic Museum. Today we enjoy a lovely lunch in one of Plovdiv’s oldest restaurants. Transfer back to Sofia in the afternoon to enjoy our last eveining in Bulgaia before departure.  08 SOFIA Transfer to airport according flight schedule.  

TOUR DETAILS AND INCLUSIONS: